(Toronto) Ten programmers at the Hot Docs film festival in Toronto have resigned en masse, denouncing a “toxic workplace”.
In a joint statement released Tuesday, as the major Canadian documentary festival announced its programming for 2024, the resigners say the organization did not respect protocol and ignored or minimized the voices of team members.
The resignations claim that they had to work “in a constantly changing, chaotic, unprofessional and discriminatory environment”.
Those responsible for selecting the films say that before resigning, they expressed their concerns to human resources, the festival’s senior management, the president and the board of directors.
At a press conference to announce this year’s festival lineup, the Hot Docs president admitted Tuesday that she prioritized change over taking care of her world — which was a mistake, according to her.
Marie Nelson hoped Tuesday that the programmers would return to the fold – if not next week, at least for next year’s festival.
This year’s edition, which runs from April 25 to May 5, will open with a portrait of American R&B and soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, directed by Dawn Porter.
Earlier in March, Marie Nelson revealed that the Hot Docs festival was in a dire financial situation and that this year’s edition could well be its last.
Hot Docs also announced that its creative director had left the organization.
The resigning programmers specify that they “fully support” this year’s selection.